Culture Guides

Though the cause for uniting the whole of humanity under a single peaceful banner is noble and good, it is the drastic differences between us that continues to make life, especially travel, so very worthwhile. Whether it’s as stark as arriving in a country that doesn’t speak your language or as subtle as noticing differences in transportation, experiencing the world’s cultural varieties teaches us things books can’t hold–not only about the subject at hand, but ourselves as well.

While your expectations are always going to be wrong in some way, it’s never a bad idea to get a glimpse of where you’re going. Whether it’s to check out the Sami in northern Sweden, take a bath in Damascus, or hike the Great Wall, Matadorians have been there. Check out the content below, and let us know what you discover after you return (or decide to stay).